So quiet you could hear a pin drop. Electric drive systems present a challenge in developing their acoustics. That is because very different sources of noise become noticeable when there is no combustion engine. In addition, the scarcely perceptible and yet very specific background noise of the drive system mixes with the sounds and vibrations of the electrically powered auxiliary components. Last but not least, without any fine tuning, wind and rolling sounds are much more noticeable in electric vehicles, as they are in luxury cars.
As quiet as a luxury car. Against this background, Volkswagen implemented an acoustic concept for the e-Golf that is specifically tailored to the characteristics of an electric vehicle, making the zero-emission car into an almost silent cruiser. A few examples: the engine's suspension system was switched to a pendulum mount with modified response characteristics, which greatly enhances the acoustics despite the e-motor's high torque build-up when accelerating. In designing the motor housing unit, Volkswagen was also able to achieve an extremely low level of noise emissions. Furthermore, the highly sound-absorbent and yet very lightweight materials used in the interior produce such a high level of acoustic comfort that occupants in the e-Golf, which is itself a high quality car, feel as though they are riding in a vehicle from the luxury class.